if you look at the statistics from the fbi, most criminals are either stolen guns where they have enough ammo to commit the crime. why don't they get rid of gun owner permits? the state can run it, charging no more than $100. you get your background check, you take a site test. you clear that, you go through the class, you go down to your local state patrol, you pay another $100, you do your fingerprinting and other background check. here is your paperwork, here is your card. you can now purchase the firearm. legal gun owners are going to do everything they can to be legal and take the right steps. the people that do not want to do that are not going to get a gun. guest: i would be all for that. in some states, that is the process. in most, it is not. in most states, you can buy a gun with no questions asked. you do not have to pay a fee or to the state police or do anything. the system that you just described, if it was in place in all states, it would be a whole lot safer. legal gun owners virtually never use their guns improperly and virtually always keep their guns properly secured.